Zimmerman Trial Day 13: Jury Can Consider Manslaughter as Lesser Included Charge
SANFORD - Today state attorneys delivered their closing arguments in the George Zimmerman murder trial and the court awaits the defense's final words tomorrow.
The judge ruled that the jury may consider other charges besides the second degree murder charge.
What could this mean for Zimmerman's future?
In the state of Florida, it is common for state prosecutors to ask for what's called lesser included charges against a defendant.
This means the judge has allowed the jury to consider a lesser charge of manslaughter if they do not think Zimmerman is guilty of second degree murder.
But a lesser charge in Florida does not necessarily mean a shorter time in prison.
The second degree murder charge could bring with it a maximum term of life in prison and even a manslaughter charge could bring a maximum term of 30 years in prison.
Manslaughter in Florida means killing someone through extreme negligence.
In their closing arguments, the state tried to prove that Zimmerman was a wanna be cop who followed Martin.
Zimmerman shook his head as the prosecution finished closing arguments and accusing him of second degree murder.
After defense attorneys give their closing arguments tomorrow, the state will have one hour of rebuttal time.
Then, the case will go to the jury and they could begin deliberations as early as tomorrow afternoon.
- Zimmerman Trial: Jury May Consider Other Charges
- Zimmerman Trial Day 14: Jury Sent out For Deliberations
- Zimmerman Trial Day 9: The Jury is Selected
- Zimmerman Trial Day 7: State Tries to Prove Key Elements of Second Degree Murder Charge
- Zimmerman Trial: Day 2 of Jury Selection
- Zimmerman Trial: Day 3 of Jury Selection
- Zimmerman Trial: Day 4 of Jury Selection
- Zimmerman Trial Day 5: Witness Places Trayvon Martin on Top of Zimmerman
- Zimmerman Trial Day 6: Detectives Ask Why Zimmerman Chased Trayvon Martin
- Zimmerman Trial Day 8: State Tries to Prove Zimmerman was a "Wanna-be Cop"